The magic of memories

A trip down memory lane is on the cards for Wyndham’s senior citizens thanks to a new initiative.

Aged-care workers will be trained to use “reminiscing story cards” as tools to engage and stimulate conversations with their residents.

The cards feature a photograph on the front and messages on the back to prompt conversations about a person’s history, employment, marriage, children, friends and special times in their life. The initiative, run by Wyndham council and Council on the Ageing (COTA), is designed to encourage positive discussions between two or more people.

COTA Victoria chief executive Ronda Held said Wyndham was the first council in the state to activate a training and awareness program for the initiative.

“Conversations are one of the most important activities and experiences for keeping the memory and mind active for positive communication and quality of life during the ageing process,” Ms Held said.

Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw said the council had developed an extensive network of services to assist senior citizens.

“In the home care area, the visit by council staff could be the only contact people have and the reminiscing story cards could provide a positive and meaningful stimulus as a conversation starter,” Cr Shaw said.